Planning a trip to Curaçao from Spain? Good news: your Spanish passport gives you visa-free entry for tourism and short business stays. The catch is a separate step many travelers overlook-the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card.
This isn't a visa. It's a mandatory entry declaration that every non-resident must complete online before landing. Skip it, and you could be turned away at the boarding gate or held up at immigration in Willemstad.
This guide explains exactly what Spanish citizens need to do, when to do it, and how to avoid the unofficial sites that charge money for a form that should cost you nothing.
Do Spanish citizens need a visa for Curaçao?
No. Spain is on Curaçao's visa-free list, along with all other EU and EEA nations, the UK, Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. As a Spanish citizen, you can enter Curaçao for tourism or business without applying for a visa.
Here's the important distinction: visa-free entry does not mean requirement-free entry. Spanish travelers still need to complete the Curaçao DI Card online before their trip. The two things are separate.
- Visa: Not required for Spanish passport holders (stays up to 90 days).
- DI Card: Required for every Spanish traveler, no exceptions by age or purpose.
EU nationals, including Spanish citizens, can stay in Curaçao for up to 90 nights per visit, with a maximum of 180 days per calendar year.
What is the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card?
The Curaçao Digital Immigration Card is an online entry declaration issued by the Curaçao Immigration and Customs Service. It's often called the DI Card, and you may also see its legacy name-the ED Card (Embarkation-Disembarkation Card).
The card became mandatory on October 1, 2019, replacing the old paper form travelers used to fill out on flights. Today, the process is entirely digital and completed at the official portal, dicardcuracao.com, at no cost.
A few facts worth knowing:
- The DI Card is not a visa-it's a separate declaration all non-resident visitors must submit.
- It's completed online, with no document uploads required.
- After you submit, a PDF confirmation lands in your inbox immediately.
- You present that PDF at immigration in Curaçao (printed or on your phone).
Is the DI Card mandatory for Spanish travelers?
Yes. The Curaçao immigration form is mandatory for all non-resident travelers arriving at Curaçao International Airport (CUR), regardless of nationality, age, or reason for visiting. That includes Spanish tourists, business travelers, and families.
One rule trips people up more than any other: each traveler needs their own individual DI Card. You cannot submit one form for a whole family. Children and infants each need a separate form completed on their behalf.
Only residents of Curaçao are exempt. If you're visiting from Spain, you're a non-resident-so the card applies to you.
What information do you need to complete the form?
You can complete the entire Curaçao travel form online with details you likely already have on hand. Before you start, gather:
- Passport details: Full name exactly as printed (no nicknames), date of birth, nationality, passport number, and expiry date.
- Travel details: Flight number, airline, and arrival date.
- Accommodation details: Full hotel name and address, or your host's full name, address, and contact phone.
- A valid email address: This is where your PDF confirmation gets sent.
No file uploads are needed. You'll present your physical documents when you arrive.
What documents should you carry for arrival?
Completing the DI Card online is only part of the picture. At immigration in Willemstad, Spanish travelers may also be asked to show:
- A valid passport-the same one used for the DI Card.
- The DI Card PDF confirmation, printed or digital.
- Proof of onward or return travel.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Proof of sufficient funds (roughly USD 50 per day if staying in a hotel).
Travel or medical insurance isn't mandatory but is strongly recommended. For minors traveling without both parents, carry a parental consent letter and birth certificate.
When should Spanish citizens submit the DI Card?
You can submit the Curaçao DI Card online up to 7 days before departure. The recommended window is 24–48 hours before your flight, once you've confirmed your travel details.
Why wait until then? If your flight changes, your submitted details need to match your actual travel. Filing too early with an unconfirmed flight often means going back to update it. Getting the timing right saves you the hassle.
The form itself is quick-most people finish in 5 to 10 minutes.
How to complete the Curaçao DI Card online
The process is straightforward. Here's how it works from start to finish:
- Go to the official portal, dicardcuracao.com.
- Choose to fill out a new DI Card, or retrieve stored data if you've visited before.
- Enter your personal details-name exactly as your passport shows, date of birth, nationality, and passport number.
- Add your travel details: flight number, airline, and arrival date.
- Enter your accommodation-full hotel name and address, or your host's details.
- State your intended length of stay in nights (minimum 1, maximum 90).
- Provide your email address.
- Review everything carefully. Your name must match your passport exactly.
- Submit. Your PDF confirmation arrives by email right away.
- Print the PDF or save it to your phone.
If you've been to Curaçao before, the system lets you retrieve your stored data and simply update your travel details for the new trip.
Beware of unofficial websites charging for a free form
This matters, so pay attention. The Curaçao DI Card is completely free through the official site, dicardcuracao.com. Yet plenty of unofficial third-party websites charge a fee for a service that costs nothing.
These sites often look polished and rank high in search results, making them easy to mistake for the real thing. To protect yourself:
- Always type dicardcuracao.com directly, or verify you're on the official domain.
- Be wary of any site asking for payment to process the form.
- Remember: the official government portal never charges for the DI Card.
Paying a middleman gets you nothing you couldn't do yourself for free in a few minutes.
Complete your DI Card before you fly
Your Spanish passport handles the visa side of things. The Curaçao Digital Immigration Card handles the rest-and it's on you to complete it before you travel.
Here's the practical takeaway: confirm your flight, then set aside a few minutes 24–48 hours before departure to fill out the form at dicardcuracao.com. Save the PDF to your phone and print a backup. Do that, and you'll breeze through boarding and immigration without a hitch.
Keep in mind that some airlines check the DI Card at the departure gate, so having your confirmation ready before you leave for the airport is essential.
Complete Your DI Card Before You Fly
The DI Card is free and takes 5–10 minutes at the official portal.
Complete DI Card - Free ↗Frequently asked questions
No. Spanish passport holders can enter Curaçao visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. However, they must still complete the mandatory DI Card online before traveling.
Yes. The DI Card is required for all non-resident travelers arriving in Curaçao, regardless of nationality, age, or purpose of visit. Only Curaçao residents are exempt.
Most travelers complete the form in about 5 to 10 minutes. You can submit it up to 7 days before departure, though 24–48 hours before your flight is recommended.
Yes. The DI Card is free through the official portal, dicardcuracao.com. Be cautious of unofficial websites that charge a fee for this free service.
No. You must present your DI Card PDF confirmation on arrival, and some airlines check it at the boarding gate. Without it, you may be denied boarding or delayed at immigration.
Yes. Every non-resident traveler needs their own individual form, including children and infants. One form cannot cover an entire family.
